Show Notes
Step onto the show floor with Sew & So as we bring you the sights, sounds, and stories from the inaugural Fiber & Fabric Craft Festival in Rosemont, Illinois. In this special on-location episode, we meet the people who made the event happen — from organizers and exhibitors to attendees, creators, educators, and industry innovators — all united by a shared passion for sewing, quilting, embroidery, cosplay, and creative making. Show Director Jessica Boweek and President & General Manager Darrin Stern pull back the curtain on what it takes to launch a brand-new event of this scale, from cultivating community to creating memorable customer experiences. Along the way, we hear from vendors, educators, content creators, and attendees about the trends shaping the crafting world, why in-person events still matter, and the joy of connecting face-to-face with fellow makers. You’ll also meet familiar Sew & So friends and past guests, discover emerging trends in quilting and sewing, and hear firsthand why this event quickly became a meaningful gathering place for the creative community. Whether you sew, quilt, embroider, cosplay, or simply love handmade artistry, this episode captures the energy and inspiration of a show built by makers, for makers.
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Anna Escher of Sew.Lala Patterns joins Sew & So to share her creative journey, from learning to sew as a child to designing patterns, exploring an array of artistic hobbies, and finding connection through the online sewing community. Anna talks about persistence, her return to teaching, her love of thrifting, and how she embraces ADHD as part of her creative process. It’s an inspiring conversation about curiosity, creativity, and the courage to keep learning.
Andrea Funk, founder of Too Cool T-shirt Quilts, joins Sew & So to talk about how an unexpected request in 1992 led her to create a whole new approach to T-shirt quilt design. From her first quilt—made without instructions or examples—to developing her signature multi-size block, puzzle-style quilts, Stained Glass and Ultra Modern designs, Andrea has spent more than 30 years turning treasured T-shirts and memories into one-of-a-kind quilts. She also shares how her background in communications and graphic design influences her work, the stories behind some of her most meaningful quilts, her teaching and writing, and what she hopes to create next.
Meet Amanda Lifvendahl, Costume Shop Supervisor and Lead Designer at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and hear how a childhood surrounded by theater, a sewing machine, and a little movie inspiration eventually led her to a career in costume design. Amanda shares her journey from studying nursing to discovering costume design at Illinois State University, spending 16 years at Broadway Costumes in Chicago, and eventually finding her home at Interlochen. She talks about designing for Shakespeare, musicals, ballet and dance, mentoring young artists, and why she believes a costume can tell us who a character is before they ever say a word. And yes…there are chickens! Amanda and her husband now have 24 chickens, 12 goldfish and a Cock-a-Poo named Delilah. It’s a fun conversation about creativity, craftsmanship, theater, finding your calling—and the unexpected turns that can lead you exactly where you belong.
Three inspiring women. Three very different paths. One shared belief in the power of creativity... Recorded at BERNINA University 2026 in New Orleans, this special episode of Sew & So features Shelancia Daniel of Creativity Shell, Sarah Caldwell of BERNINA International, and Allison Parker of ricRACK. Shelancia shares how Creativity Shell is using hands-on creative education to build confidence and life skills for thousands of children, including vulnerable youth and survivors of human trafficking. Sarah takes us inside BERNINA International to talk about innovation, changing learning styles, AI, product development, and the new BERNINA Liberty Edition machines. And Allison introduces us to ricRACK, the New Orleans nonprofit transforming textile waste into opportunity through sewing education, creative reuse, and sustainability. Three conversations. Three unique missions. All proving that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is see what's needed—and create a way to make a difference.
Annye Driscoll, aka Maker Fishmeal, is a writer, teacher, cosplayer, and self-described “very slow crafter” who has built a creative life around making, learning, and sharing what they know. In this episode, Annye talks about learning to sew, discovering cosplay, the welcoming and unconventional world of cosplay culture, and the process behind creating elaborate costumes. They also share the stories behind their books, their love of natural history and their many hobbies—from horseback riding to fencing and gaming. It’s a fun, wide-ranging conversation about creativity, curiosity, and why there’s no right speed for making.